I'm easily absorbed in time-intensive crafts, but when it comes to most projects around my house, I just cannot wait to see the results. While that enthusiasm should never be a negative thing, sometimes it makes me rush. Here's what I try to do and remind myself when I'm feeling impatient.
For me, this happens most often when I'm painting, and I justify it by reminding myself there's already a saying about how boring it is to watch the stuff dry. Then I think about how much better things look when you take your time.
Haste, as they say, makes waste. If you do one heavy, gloopy round of spray paint, you'll have compromised the project right out of the gate. If you don't give a wall's first coat of paint time to dry before coming back with the second, you'll have to take even more steps to get a smooth finish. The list goes on! Pass the active project time with the help of NPR or some music. Distract yourself between steps with other tasks, a snack break, or even by getting out of the house.
Haste also makes for expletives. Going at an unhurried pace will make the whole experience more enjoyable. If you're, say, assembling furniture but rushing through the directions, you may very well end up banging on that Ikea storage unit and berating the little wordless Ikea directions man (not that I would know anything about that). As much as you want to get it put together, step away from the HELMER as soon as you start to feel frustrated. You'll be able to come back with a clearer head for what you missed and won't have wasted your time or energy.
Does this happen to you, and what helps you get past it?
MORE HONEST PROJECT TALK ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• Passing the Time During Time Consuming Projects
• Ways To Keep Your Sanity While Doing Projects
• Getting Real: Projects Aren't Always Pretty
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Books on CD - or better yet on itunes - is the best for allowing me to be patient while painting!
use quick drying paint, never look at the blobs
have pizza and beer
open a window or go out for fresh air
For me, I get really impatient to start on projects. Once I actually work on them, I'm ok. Doing a good job takes time, and if you're not willing to put in the time and do a quality job, then why not just pay someone to do it right?! Logic Power!
Having a buddy helps...you're able to divide and conquer and take turns for fatiguing work. Having someone to talk to also helps beat the boredom.
This is constantly an issue for me. I find it helps to break projects down into minuscule tasks. Instead of thinking of painting the room in terms of 1) prime 2) paint, it's more like 1) dust the walls 2) wash the walls 3) patch holes 4) sand patches etc. etc. This way I can set myself up to feel good after each step.
My husband spent $50 on materials for a ski rack that would have cost us $20 if we bought it from our local ski shop and he's been working on it for almost month... Any suggestions on keeping patience while your significant other is taking forever on a DIY project?
Just kidding. It doesn't really bother me; I just think it's funny when this kind of stuff happens. hehe
I too get impatient to start projects but the projects themselves are a form of meditation for me so I like taking my time on them. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and enjoy doing things right. I'm about to start making over a dresser. I just picked up a piece of marble I had cut for it, I need to order a couple more pieces of hardware and I still haven't decided on the exact color. I'll easily work on it for a month, stripping, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, repainting then touching up until I'm happy with it.
One thing that really helps me is making sure I have all the supplies on-site before I even begin - there's nothing that'll stop me cold, and delay a project, like having to tackle the big box store again for supplies. Then I dedicate uninterrupted time for the project, usually over a 3-day weekend, make sure I stock up on ready-to-eat food so I don't need to stop and cook, and have iTunes playlists suitable for everything (quieter, for detail work; dance music for rolling paint on the walls) or I play a favorite movie in the background (best one I can quote a million lines from while I'm working - Rocky Horror's great for painting projects).
Oh, and no alcohol, turns out I suck at DIY home projects if I'm drinking while trying to do anything related to a house project!